Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method of defining an operational status of a telephone network, the method including the steps of: a. for a telephone call within the network, compiling: (1) a call segment start time, and (2) a call segment end time, for each of at least two call segments within the telephone call; b. graphically displaying the call segments on a monitor: (1) in succession over time, whereby each call segment within the call is displayed before any subsequent call segment within the call becomes visible, and (2) in a linear array in an order in which the call segments occurred within the telephone call.
Telephone network operational status monitoring. This invention addresses the need to understand the detailed progression of a telephone call within a network. It involves a method for defining the operational status by analyzing individual call segments. For each telephone call, the method compiles the start time and end time of at least two distinct call segments. These compiled call segments are then presented graphically on a monitor. The graphical display is characterized by showing the call segments sequentially over time. Specifically, each call segment appears on the display before the next subsequent call segment becomes visible, providing a step-by-step visualization. Furthermore, the call segments are arranged in a linear array, ordered according to their chronological occurrence within the telephone call. This ordered, sequential display allows for a clear understanding of the call's temporal progression and the status of each segment as it transpires.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the call segments of each of multiple telephone calls within the network are simultaneously displayed on the monitor as recited in claim 1 , with the telephone calls' linear arrays of call segments being displayed in parallel.
This invention relates to a system for monitoring and analyzing telephone calls within a network, particularly for visualizing call segments in real-time. The problem addressed is the difficulty in tracking and analyzing multiple concurrent telephone calls, where call segments (such as call initiation, duration, and termination) are not easily visualized in a structured manner. The system includes a monitor that displays call segments of multiple telephone calls simultaneously. Each call is represented as a linear array of call segments, with these arrays displayed in parallel on the monitor. This parallel display allows users to compare and analyze the progression of different calls side by side. The call segments may include various stages of a call, such as ringing, answering, talking, and hanging up, and are visually represented to show their sequence and duration. The system may also include a processor that processes call data to generate the linear arrays and a display controller that manages the parallel presentation on the monitor. This visualization helps operators or analysts quickly identify patterns, anomalies, or issues across multiple calls in real-time.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the call segments are displayed in succession over time as the telephone call is being made.
This invention relates to a system for displaying call segments of a telephone call in real-time as the call progresses. The technology addresses the problem of monitoring and analyzing telephone conversations by providing a visual representation of call segments, allowing users to track the flow of the conversation dynamically. The method involves capturing and processing audio data from the telephone call, segmenting the audio into distinct call segments based on predefined criteria such as speaker changes, pauses, or keywords, and then displaying these segments sequentially on a visual interface. The display updates in real-time, reflecting the ongoing call, which helps users follow the conversation structure, identify key moments, and improve call management. The system may also include features such as highlighting important segments, annotating segments with metadata, or integrating with call analytics tools to enhance usability. The real-time display of call segments enables applications in customer service, call centers, legal proceedings, and other fields where call monitoring and analysis are critical. The invention improves upon existing call monitoring systems by providing a more intuitive and dynamic way to visualize call content, aiding in real-time decision-making and post-call analysis.
4. The method of claim 1 : a. wherein the call segments are displayed subsequent to the telephone call, and b. further including the step of altering a speed at which the call segments appear over time.
This invention relates to a system for analyzing and displaying segments of a telephone call to improve user understanding and efficiency. The problem addressed is the difficulty in reviewing lengthy or complex calls, where key information may be missed or hard to locate. The invention provides a method to segment a recorded telephone call into distinct parts, such as speaker turns, topics, or other relevant divisions, and then presents these segments in a structured format for later review. The segments are displayed after the call has ended, allowing users to revisit specific portions without replaying the entire conversation. Additionally, the system adjusts the playback speed of these segments over time, enabling faster review of less critical sections while slowing down for more important parts. This dynamic speed control helps users efficiently navigate and comprehend the call content. The method may also include features like visual annotations, search functionality, or interactive controls to enhance usability. The invention is particularly useful in business, legal, or customer service contexts where call analysis is essential.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the speed at which the call segments appear over time is altered in dependence on user input.
This invention relates to a method for dynamically adjusting the presentation speed of call segments in a communication system. The problem addressed is the need for users to control the pace at which call segments, such as audio or video segments, are displayed or played back, improving user experience and adaptability in real-time communication or playback scenarios. The method involves altering the speed at which call segments appear over time based on user input. This adjustment can be applied to individual segments or groups of segments, allowing users to slow down or speed up the presentation as needed. The user input may include manual commands, such as gestures, voice commands, or interface selections, or automated inputs from a system detecting user engagement or context. The speed adjustment can be linear or non-linear, and may be applied uniformly or variably across different segments. The method may also include analyzing the content of the call segments to determine optimal speed adjustments, such as slowing down complex or critical segments while speeding up simpler or less important ones. This ensures that the user can efficiently process the information without missing key details. The system may also store user preferences for speed adjustments, allowing for personalized playback experiences. This invention enhances communication systems by providing flexible control over the presentation speed of call segments, improving usability and efficiency in various applications, including teleconferencing, multimedia playback, and interactive communication platforms.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein: a. each call segment is displayed as an element having a length oriented parallel to the line along which the array extends, and b. the length of each element increases over time during a display period to a final length proportional to a duration of the call segment.
This invention relates to visualizing call segments in a communication system, addressing the challenge of effectively representing call durations in a compact and intuitive manner. The method involves displaying call segments as elements arranged in an array, where each element's length is oriented parallel to the line along which the array extends. During a display period, the length of each element increases over time until it reaches a final length proportional to the actual duration of the corresponding call segment. This dynamic visualization allows users to quickly grasp the relative lengths of different call segments, improving clarity and usability in monitoring or analyzing communication data. The method ensures that longer calls are represented by longer elements, while shorter calls are represented by shorter elements, providing an immediate visual comparison of call durations. The dynamic growth of the elements over time enhances user engagement and understanding, making it easier to track call activities in real-time or review historical data. The approach is particularly useful in applications where call duration is a critical metric, such as in call centers, telecommunication analytics, or customer service monitoring systems.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein: a. during the display of each call segment, prior to reaching the call segment's final length, a recipient element is displayed in the array following the element of the call segment; b. the recipient element displays an address identifying the recipient of the call segment; c. when the call segment reaches its final length: (1) if the call segment is followed by a subsequent call segment, the recipient element is replaced in the display by an element representing the subsequent call segment; and (2) if the call segment is not followed by a subsequent call segment, the recipient element displays one or more of: i. the call segment end time, and ii. a duration of the telephone call.
This invention relates to a method for displaying call segments in a telephone call interface, addressing the problem of providing clear and organized visual feedback during a call. The method involves displaying call segments in an array, where each segment represents a portion of the call. During the display of each call segment, before it reaches its final length, a recipient element is shown in the array following the call segment. This recipient element displays an address identifying the recipient of the call segment. When the call segment reaches its final length, the behavior depends on whether there is a subsequent call segment. If there is a subsequent segment, the recipient element is replaced by an element representing the next call segment. If there is no subsequent segment, the recipient element then displays either the call segment's end time, the call duration, or both. This approach ensures users can track call progression and recipient information dynamically, improving call management and user experience. The method enhances clarity by dynamically updating the display to show relevant information at each stage of the call.
8. The method of claim 6 : a. further including the step of displaying a caller element earlier in time than the display of the first element in the array, the caller element displaying one or more of: (1) an address identifying an initiator of the telephone call, and (2) an origination time of the telephone call; b. wherein the elements of the call segments of the telephone call are thereafter successively displayed over time with the caller element being situated along the linear array.
This invention relates to a method for visually representing a telephone call in a linear array format, enhancing user interaction by displaying contextual information about the call. The method addresses the problem of providing users with a clear, chronological visualization of call segments, including metadata such as caller identity and call initiation time, to improve call management and user experience. The method involves displaying a caller element before the first element in the linear array, which presents either the caller's address (e.g., phone number) or the origination time of the call. This caller element serves as an introductory segment, providing immediate context about the call's source or timing. Following this, the call segments are displayed sequentially along the linear array, with the caller element integrated into the sequence. The linear array visually represents the call's progression, allowing users to track call duration, segment transitions, and key metadata in a structured format. This approach improves call visualization by combining temporal and identity-based information, aiding users in understanding call dynamics and managing interactions more effectively. The method is particularly useful in applications requiring detailed call logging, analysis, or user interface enhancements.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the appearance of the caller element changes upon display of the first call segment within the telephone call.
This invention relates to telecommunications systems, specifically methods for enhancing caller identification during telephone calls. The problem addressed is the lack of dynamic visual feedback to indicate call status changes, such as when a call is actively in progress versus idle. The invention provides a method where a caller element, such as a name or image displayed on a device, visually changes when the first segment of a telephone call is displayed. This change signals to the user that the call has transitioned from an idle or ringing state to an active state. The caller element may change in color, size, or other visual attributes to provide immediate feedback. The method integrates with existing caller identification systems, ensuring compatibility with standard telephony protocols. The visual change helps users quickly recognize call status, improving user experience and reducing confusion. The invention may be implemented in mobile devices, landline phones, or other communication systems supporting visual caller identification. The dynamic update ensures users are aware of call progression without requiring additional notifications or manual checks.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein: a. each call segment is displayed as an element having a length oriented parallel to the line along which the array extends, and b. each element displays an address identifying a recipient of the call segment.
This invention relates to a method for visualizing call segments in a communication system, particularly for improving the clarity and usability of call flow representations. The problem addressed is the difficulty in interpreting complex call routing paths, where multiple call segments are interconnected in an array-like structure. The solution involves displaying each call segment as an element with a length oriented parallel to the line along which the array extends, ensuring a visually coherent and scalable representation. Additionally, each element includes an address identifying the recipient of the call segment, providing immediate context about the destination of each segment. This method enhances the ability to trace and analyze call flows by making the relationships between segments and their recipients more intuitive. The approach is particularly useful in telecommunication systems, network diagnostics, and call routing applications where understanding the path of call segments is critical for troubleshooting and optimization. By aligning the elements with the array's direction and labeling them with recipient addresses, the method reduces cognitive load and improves efficiency in interpreting call flow diagrams.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein each element displays one or more of: a. an address identifying the recipient of the call segment, b. call segment start time, c. call segment end time, d. a duration of the call segment, e. a cost of the call segment, f. call status identification, and g. call quality information.
This invention relates to telecommunications systems, specifically methods for displaying detailed information about call segments within a communication session. The problem addressed is the lack of granular visibility into individual call segments, which are portions of a larger call, making it difficult to track usage, costs, and performance metrics. The method involves displaying elements representing call segments, where each element provides specific details about the segment. These details include the recipient's address, such as a phone number or IP address, the start and end times of the segment, the duration, the cost associated with the segment, the call status (e.g., active, completed, failed), and call quality metrics like latency or packet loss. This granular data allows users to monitor and analyze call segments efficiently, improving transparency and management of communication services. The method ensures that all relevant information is presented in a structured format, enabling better decision-making for billing, troubleshooting, and performance optimization.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein: a. network metrics are displayed adjacent the call segments, and b. the network metrics are updated over time as the call segments are displayed in succession over time, with the updated network metrics representing characteristics of at least a portion of the network at the time represented by the currently-displayed call segments.
This invention relates to network monitoring and visualization, specifically for displaying call segments and associated network metrics in a time-synchronized manner. The problem addressed is the lack of real-time, contextual network performance data when analyzing call flows or network traffic patterns. Traditional systems often display call segments separately from network metrics, making it difficult to correlate performance issues with specific call events. The invention provides a method where call segments are displayed in sequence, representing a chronological flow of network activity. Network metrics, such as latency, packet loss, or bandwidth utilization, are shown adjacent to the call segments. These metrics are dynamically updated in real-time as the call segments progress, reflecting the network's state at the exact moment each segment is displayed. This ensures that users can directly observe how network conditions evolve alongside call events, enabling faster troubleshooting and performance analysis. The system may aggregate metrics from multiple network segments or devices to provide a comprehensive view of network health during the call flow. This approach enhances situational awareness by linking call behavior with real-time network performance data.
13. The method of claim 1 : a. wherein: (1) at least one of the call segments is preceded or followed by a delay, the delay defining at least one of: i. telephone ring time, and ii. telephone transfer time; (2) each call segment is displayed as an element having a length oriented along the array, and b. further including the steps of: (1) graphically displaying each delay preceding any of the call segments as an element: i. having a length oriented along the array, and ii. preceding its following call segment; and (2) graphically displaying each delay following any of the call segments as an element: i. having a length oriented along the array, and ii. following its preceding call segment.
This invention relates to visualizing call segments and delays in a telecommunication system. The problem addressed is the lack of intuitive representation of call flows, including delays like ring time or transfer time, which are critical for analyzing call handling efficiency. The method involves displaying call segments as graphical elements arranged in an array, where each segment represents a portion of a call. Delays, such as ring time or transfer time, are incorporated into the visualization by displaying them as additional elements adjacent to the call segments. A delay preceding a call segment is shown as an element before the segment, while a delay following a call segment is displayed as an element after the segment. Both delays and call segments are represented as elements with lengths oriented along the array, allowing for a clear, linear visualization of the entire call flow, including interruptions and transitions. This approach enhances the clarity of call analytics by providing a visual representation that distinguishes between active call segments and passive delays, making it easier to identify inefficiencies or bottlenecks in call handling processes. The graphical display ensures that users can quickly assess the duration and sequence of call segments and delays, improving decision-making in telecommunication systems.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein: a. each call segment is displayed as an element having a length oriented parallel to the line along which the array extends, and b. at least a portion of each element is displayed in a color differing from the colors in an immediately preceding element in the array.
This invention relates to visualizing call segments in a communication system, addressing the challenge of presenting complex call data in an intuitive and easily interpretable format. The method involves displaying call segments as elements arranged in an array, where each element represents a segment of a call. The length of each element is oriented parallel to the direction of the array, allowing for a compact and scalable representation of sequential call data. To enhance clarity, at least a portion of each element is displayed in a color that differs from the colors used in the immediately preceding element. This color differentiation helps users quickly distinguish between consecutive segments, improving the readability and interpretability of the call data. The method may also include additional features such as displaying call segments as bars or other shapes, adjusting the length of elements based on call duration, and incorporating interactive elements to provide further details upon user selection. The invention is particularly useful in applications where call data must be presented in a visually organized manner, such as in call monitoring, analytics, or user interface design.
15. A method of defining an operational status of a telephone network, the method including the steps of: a. for each of multiple telephone calls within the network, compiling: (1) a call segment start time, and (2) a call segment end time, for at least some call segments within the telephone call; b. graphically displaying the telephone calls on a monitor, each telephone call being represented by a linear array of elements, each element representing a call segment within the telephone call, wherein: (1) the elements: i. are displayed in succession over time on the monitor, and ii. are ordered along the array, in the same order as the occurrence of the call segments; and (2) the telephone calls' linear arrays of elements are displayed in parallel.
This invention relates to monitoring and visualizing the operational status of a telephone network by analyzing call segments and their timing. The method involves tracking multiple telephone calls within the network, where each call is divided into segments. For each call, the start and end times of these segments are recorded. The segments are then graphically represented as a linear array of elements, with each element corresponding to a segment. The elements are displayed in chronological order, reflecting the sequence of the segments within the call. Multiple calls are shown simultaneously in parallel, allowing for a comparative view of their operational status. This visualization helps identify patterns, anomalies, or performance issues in the network by providing a time-based representation of call segments. The method enables network operators to assess call quality, detect failures, or optimize network performance by analyzing the graphical display of call segments across different calls. The approach enhances situational awareness by presenting complex call data in an intuitive, visual format.
16. The method of claim 15 further including the following steps for at least some of the linear arrays of elements: a. graphically displaying a caller element prior to the display of the first element in the array, the caller element displaying one or more of: (1) an address identifying an initiator of the telephone call, and (2) an origination time of the telephone call; wherein the elements of the linear array are thereafter displayed in succession following the caller element; b. graphically displaying a delay element in the linear array: (1) prior to each element of the linear array which represents a call segment preceded by telephone ring time, and (2) following each element of the linear array which represents a call segment followed by telephone transfer time; c. graphically displaying a recipient element following the final element in the array, wherein the recipient element displays an address identifying the recipient of the call segment represented by the final element in the array.
This invention relates to a method for visualizing telephone call data, particularly for displaying call segments and related metadata in a structured, linear array format. The method addresses the challenge of presenting complex call data in an intuitive and informative way, allowing users to quickly understand call flow, timing, and participant information. The method involves displaying a sequence of elements in a linear array, where each element represents a distinct segment of a telephone call. For at least some of these arrays, the method includes additional steps to enhance clarity. First, a caller element is displayed before the first call segment, showing either the caller's address (e.g., phone number) or the call's origination time. This provides immediate context about who initiated the call and when. Next, delay elements are inserted into the array to indicate timing gaps. These appear before elements representing call segments preceded by ring time and after elements representing segments followed by transfer time, visually distinguishing these delays from active call segments. Finally, a recipient element is displayed after the last call segment, identifying the recipient of that segment. This ensures the call's endpoint is clearly marked. The method improves call data visualization by structuring information in a way that highlights key details like call initiation, delays, and recipients, making it easier to analyze call flows.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein each delay element has a length oriented parallel to the line along which the array extends, wherein the length is proportional to the telephone ring time or telephone transfer time represented by the delay element.
This invention relates to a system for visualizing telephone call routing or transfer processes using a physical array of delay elements. The problem addressed is the lack of intuitive, tangible representations for understanding call flow timing in telecommunications networks, particularly for training or diagnostic purposes. The system includes an array of delay elements arranged along a linear path, where each element represents a segment of call processing time. The delay elements are oriented parallel to the line of the array, with their physical length directly proportional to the actual telephone ring time or transfer time they represent. This allows users to visually and physically perceive the duration of each step in a call's journey through the network. The array may be used to simulate call routing scenarios, where the cumulative length of consecutive delay elements corresponds to the total time from initiation to completion of a call. The system can also include markers or indicators to denote specific events, such as call transfers between systems or user interactions. The physical representation helps users quickly grasp the temporal relationships between different stages of call processing, aiding in troubleshooting, training, or optimizing network performance. The proportional scaling ensures that the visual model accurately reflects real-world timing, enhancing its utility for practical applications.
18. The method of claim 15 wherein: a. each element has a length oriented parallel to the line along which the array extends, and b. as each element is displayed on the monitor, its length grows over time to a final length proportional to the duration of the call segment represented by the element.
This invention relates to visualizing call segments in a communication system, particularly for displaying call duration data in a compact and intuitive manner. The problem addressed is the need to represent call segments in a way that conveys duration information clearly while maintaining readability in a dense array format. The method involves displaying an array of elements, each representing a call segment, where the elements are arranged along a line. Each element has a length oriented parallel to this line, and as the element is displayed on a monitor, its length dynamically grows over time until it reaches a final length. This final length is proportional to the duration of the call segment the element represents. This dynamic growth allows users to visually track the progression of the element's length, providing an intuitive understanding of the call's duration. The array of elements may be part of a larger visualization system, where each element is displayed in a sequence corresponding to the chronological order of the call segments. The dynamic length adjustment ensures that even in a densely packed display, the duration of each call segment is clearly communicated. This approach is particularly useful in applications where multiple call segments need to be displayed simultaneously, such as in call logs, communication analytics, or monitoring systems. The method enhances user comprehension by transforming abstract duration data into a visually scalable representation.
19. The method of claim 18 : a. further including the step of altering a speed at which: (1) the elements are displayed in succession over time, whereby each call segment within the call is displayed before any subsequent call segment within the call becomes visible, and (2) the lengths of the elements grow, on the monitor, b. the alteration being dependent on user input.
This invention relates to a method for visualizing call segments in a communication system, addressing the challenge of efficiently displaying and navigating through sequential call segments in a user-friendly manner. The method involves displaying elements representing call segments in succession over time, ensuring each segment is fully visible before the next one appears. The elements grow in length on the monitor as they are displayed, providing a dynamic and scalable visualization. The speed at which the elements are displayed and their growth rate can be adjusted based on user input, allowing for customizable navigation and viewing preferences. This dynamic adjustment enhances user control over the visualization process, making it easier to review and analyze call segments. The method ensures clarity and organization in presenting call data, improving user experience and efficiency in call analysis.
20. A method of defining an operational status of a telephone network, the method including the steps of: a. compiling call segments of each of multiple telephone calls within the network; b. simultaneously displaying the telephone calls on a monitor, wherein each telephone call is represented by elements appearing: (1) in succession over time, whereby each element within the telephone call is displayed before any subsequent element within the call becomes visible; (2) in a linear array, (3) in the order in which the call segments occurred within the telephone call, and (4) each with a length oriented parallel to the line along which the array extends, wherein the length increases to a final length proportional to the duration of a corresponding call segment within the telephone call, wherein a speed of the appearance of the elements is dependent on user input.
This invention relates to monitoring and visualizing the operational status of a telephone network by analyzing call data. The method addresses the challenge of efficiently tracking and diagnosing network performance by providing a dynamic, time-based visualization of call segments within the network. The technique involves compiling call segments from multiple telephone calls, where each call is broken down into individual segments representing different phases of the call. These segments are then displayed on a monitor in a linear array, with each segment appearing in succession over time, reflecting the order in which they occurred within the call. The length of each segment is proportional to its duration, allowing users to visually assess call durations and identify potential issues. The display speed of these segments can be adjusted based on user input, enabling real-time or accelerated playback for monitoring purposes. This visualization helps network operators quickly identify anomalies, such as prolonged call segments or disruptions, by providing a clear, time-based representation of call activity across the network. The method enhances network monitoring by offering an intuitive, scalable way to analyze call data in real time.
Unknown
May 19, 2020
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